Tragedy strikes as three pedestrians killed by Amtrak train in Pennsylvania
- Three individuals lost their lives after being struck by an Amtrak train near Bristol Station.
- The incident caused a suspension of train services between Philadelphia and New York, impacting local transit.
- Amtrak and SEPTA are investigating the incidents and have apologized for the significant disruptions.
In the United States, specifically in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the evening of Thursday, April 3, 2025, a tragic incident occurred when three pedestrians were fatality struck by an Amtrak Acela train. This unfortunate event took place near the Bristol Station, just before 6 p.m. The train, which was making its way south towards Philadelphia, was reportedly carrying 236 passengers and crew members at the time; fortunately, none of these individuals sustained injuries during the incident. The Bristol Borough Police Department confirmed that the train responsible for this fatal accident was traveling on a scheduled route that originated from Boston and was en route to Richmond, Virginia. The collision has raised significant concerns regarding safety and the risks associated with pedestrian crossings at railroad tracks. Amtrak has since been cooperating with local authorities, including the Bristol Township Police Department, in order to investigate the circumstances surrounding the occurrence of this tragedy. In addition to the aforementioned event, another incident involved a pedestrian being struck near Cornwells Heights station on the same day. As a direct consequence, Amtrak announced a temporary hold on all Northeast Corridor service between Philadelphia and Trenton. Just after noon, disturbances in service were communicated via social media, with the announcement noting that trains were suspended due to a person being struck and delays resulting from heavy rail congestion in the area. Service resumed by approximately 12:50 p.m.; however, lingering delays persisted as the area continued to grapple with the aftermath of these tragic events. Separated from the Bristol incident, SEPTA, the regional transit authority in Pennsylvania, confirmed similar service suspensions on its West Trenton line, reflecting the widespread impact of the tragedies on public transit in the region. Amtrak and SEPTA offered their apologies to passengers and urged riders to check for alternate services during this disturbing disruption.